Harcourt Talks About Changes and Challenges Facing Communities

By 250 News

Former Premier Mike Harcourt talks with Quesnel Mayor Nate Bello moments before  addressing a group on the issue of sustainable communities.

Former Premier Mike Harcourt says the Federal Government has a role to play in Canadian communities, but it has to be refined for each and every community in the country.

Harcourt says Ottawa has a responsibility to health, environment, economy and culture however it is the communities who must prepare the plan on how that involvement will best serve their needs.  "There is no cookie cutter approach" says Harcourt. He notes for instance, that while the national government has jurisdiction on issues such as transportation, immigration and Indian affairs, the reality is that cities have to deal with the impact of those decisions.  He says as immigration increases, most cities need to adapt to how to handle that increase "Does your city have an immigration sponsorship program?" he asked the gathering of primarily municipal and regional government reps.

For communities facing challenges such as job losses there has to be  a "plan B", in that communities have to change who they are. "Moncton lost its rail business, so it became home to call centres, which opened the door to technology and  more educational aspects". 

"Whatever your politics, we are in this together" says Harcourt who told the luncheon the communities are interlinked, from the grain growers in the prairies, to the shipping through a port  in Vancouver or in the future, Prince Rupert.

He says he has a hunch the Federal Minister responsible for transportation infrastructure and communities, is keen on the concept of  empowering communities to shape their own destinies with a coordinated plan with the Federal Government.

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